The Discovery Channel Hostages Discuss Their Amazing Escape (VIDEO)

On September 1st, a man named James Lee entered the Discovery Channel Headquarters in Silver Spring, Md. He was holding a gun and wearing a backpack filled with explosives. For the next four hours, Lee held three men hostage while he ranted and raved about his anger at the channel, and about his political views.

Today on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' (weekdays, syndicated), Oprah talked with two of the hostages -- co-workers Jim McNulty and Chris Wood -- as they related their escape from the life-or-death situation. (The third hostage, the security guard who was on duty that day, elected not to appear on the show.) Chris discussed his decision to flee the building after lying on the floor for hours. "I mouthed to the guard, and I said 'Run,' and he shook his head yes."

Unfortunately, that's when things got a bit more complicated.

Jim misunderstood the signal given by his co-worker. So while Chris dashed out the front door, McNulty headed for the elevator, and then hid behind a column in the lobby. Not so good. "I realize -- Christopher's almost out the door, [and] I'm like 'Ohh!'" he said. (Except that the actual language Jim used was a little more ... vivid.)

McNulty tried to recover. But when he ran for the front door as well, he chose the door in the lobby that was known for getting stuck. Fortunately, he managed to make it anyway.

After his escape, Jim was reunited with his wife and two children. He said that surviving the experience really made him appreciate what he has in life, and the time that he gets to spend with his family. "And I have not wasted a moment with them since," he added.